Ohgomadara, One of the Largest Butterflies in Japan.

There is something passing when walking Okinawa islands. I wonder what that is.

Then I look around, here is a big and elegant butterfly sucking nectar.

This is "Ohgomadara" and one of the largest class butterfly in Japan. Spotted design of white and black is characteristic. Ohgomadara flaps its wings slowly which looks like news paper is flying so its often called "News Paper Butterfly".

Spread over the area of southeast Asia, and southern of Yoron island and Kikai island near Amami island.

Larva of Ohgomadara is touchable and vivid color looks like picture-book color. They eat Parsonsia laevigata which has venomousness alkaloid. Larva eat it and save it in their bodies to protect themselves.

After filling their stomach, they are getting stand still to ready for chrysalis.

They became golden chrysalis. The color shows poisoned color for predators, and helps to protect themselves. Waiting for transformation to beautiful butterfly.

They transform to elegant winged-butterfly one month after chrysalis. Larger body females laying eggs about 100 to 180 at one time. Only 2 percent of them can survive in the nature world.

People in Okinawa try to plant their food "Parsonsia laevigata" to make better environment for Ohgomadara survivability. So that they can see more Ohgomadara.

There is a place that you can see/touch Ohgomadara in "Experience Kingdom Sakimura" in Yomitan.